Modular Hat with Removable Face Coverage

ABSTRACT

A modular hat system is disclosed, comprising at least a head covering unit, an ear covering unit that can be removably attached to the head covering unit, and a face covering unit that can be removably attached to either the head covering unit, the ear covering unit, or both. Other modules, such as a scarf, ski goggles, earphones, safety lights, and so on, may also be removably attached.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/663,795, filed on Jun. 25, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of headwear and more particularly winter and extreme weather hats that are modular and contain several elements that can be attached and detached.

BACKGROUND

Warm winter clothing, including hats, is essential for the comfortable enjoyment of winter sports and outdoor activities. If the temperature is sufficiently low, a hat that covers the ears is preferable; if it is even lower, a face mask that also covers the face is preferable. Furthermore, headwear is also useful for protection from other forms of extreme weather, such as strong wind or rain.

There are many winter hats on the market that include ear protection, and balaclavas or face masks that also include face protection; however, those hats can be overly warm when the temperature rises. Depending on the activity and the weather, a user may require a full face mask in the morning, and only a simple hat in the afternoon. This means that for comfortable enjoyment of an extreme-weather activity, a user may have to carry several hats of different level of warmth. While it is theoretically possible to carry a separate face mask, the gaps between the face mask and the hat may let in cold air and snow and make it uncomfortable for the user.

Furthermore, a user may need a hat to which other modules may be attached—for example, ski goggles, a helmet shell, headphones, safety lights, or the microphone for a walkie-talkie.

A need therefore exists for a modular hat system that can be changed from a simple hat that protects the head, to a hat that also protects the ears, to a hat with a face mask that also protects the face, and which can also have other modules attached to it in a removable manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a modular hat that may be customized to meet the needs of the user at a given time and in given weather conditions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular hat comprising a head covering unit, at least one ear covering unit that covers at least one of the user's ears, and a face covering unit, all of which are removably attached to each other. The ear covering unit preferably covers both ears and the back of the user's neck, and attaches to the head covering unit by a zipper that extends over the entire length of the ear covering unit and part of the circumference of the head covering unit.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the face covering unit comprises a left half and a right half, the two halves joined together by a zipper at the front of the user's face. When the face covering unit is not needed, it may be stowed away at the back of the user's head by unzipping the zipper, folding up each half individually, and fastening them to the back of the head covering unit in a folded position by means of a fastener such as a Velcro strap or a strap with a snap.

In one embodiment of the invention, the modular hat also comprises a scarf removably attached to the head covering unit, the ear covering unit, or the face covering unit. The attachment means may be snaps, buttons, zippers, Velcro, or any other fastener capable of securely attaching the scarf.

In one embodiment of the invention, the modular hat also comprises ski goggles removably attached to the head covering unit, the face covering unit, or both. The attachment means may be snaps, zippers, buttons, Velcro, or any other fastener capable of securely attaching the ski goggles.

In one embodiment of the invention, the modular hat also comprises a visor removably attached to the head covering unit. The attachment means may be snaps, zippers, buttons, Velcro, or any other fastener capable of securely attaching the visor.

In one embodiment of the invention, the modular hat also comprises a helmet shell removably attached to the head covering unit and possibly also to the ear covering unit. The helmet shell may attach on the inside or the outside of the head covering unit and ear covering unit. The attachment means may be snaps, zippers, buttons, Velcro, or any other fastener capable of securely attaching the helmet shell.

In other embodiments of the invention, the modular hat may also comprise various communication, safety, and/or entertainment modules, such as headphones, Bluetooth headsets, walkie-talkie microphones, GPS modules, safety lights, and so on. These modules are also removably attached to the modular hat by fasteners such as snaps, zippers, buttons, Velcro, or any other fasteners suitable for the purpose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, showing a face mask that zips together in the front.

FIG. 3B is a back view of the alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3A, showing the face mask zipped together in the back to keep it away from the user's face.

FIG. 4 is a view of another alternate embodiment of the present invention, showing ski goggles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is now described. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or to “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the invention is a hat made for cold or extreme weather that is modular, preferably comprising a head covering unit 100, an ear covering unit 110, a mask unit 120, and, in the preferred embodiment, a detachable scarf unit 130 as well. The head covering unit 100 can be shaped like a “beanie”, a cap with a visor, or any other hat style that covers the head. The ear covering unit 110 attaches to the head covering unit 100 in a removable manner, preferably by zipper 105, and is preferably shaped in such a way as to cover both ears and the back of the neck. The ear covering unit 110 may also comprise pockets 111 for headphones. The mask unit 120 attaches to the head covering unit 100 in a removable manner by means of fasteners 125, and is preferably shaped in such a way as to cover the user's nose, mouth, and cheeks. The mask unit 120 may also comprise breathing holes to reduce condensation, or may comprise an air filter to improve breathing in poor air quality locations.

Scarf unit 130 is preferably attached to the back of the ear covering unit 110 by fasteners. The fasteners may be snaps, buttons, Velcro, or any other removable fastener. The scarf unit 130 may also be attached to the back of the head covering unit 100 instead of the ear covering unit 110.

The mask unit 120 is preferably attached to the back of the head covering unit 100 by fasteners 125, as shown in FIG. 2. The fasteners 125 may be snaps, buttons, Velcro, or any other removable fastener. In the preferred embodiment, fasteners 125 are snaps. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, other fasteners 200 may be present to secure the mask unit to the head covering unit when it is not in use, in such a way as to leave the user's face free, so as to keep it with the head covering unit and prevent it from being lost.

In an alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, the mask unit comprises a left half 300 and a right half 310. Ventilation holes 340 are placed in front of the user's nose and/or mouth to improve ventilation. The left half 300 and right half 310 connect together in front of the user's face by a zipper 320, and are attached to the back of the head covering unit by fasteners 125. When not in use, the user can entirely detach the mask unit by detaching the fasteners 125 at the back of the head covering unit 100, or unzip the zipper 320 connecting the left half 300 and right half 310 and stow away the left half 300 and right half 310 by folding them and fastening them to the back of the head covering unit by fasteners 330, as shown in FIG. 3B.

In an alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 4, ski goggles 400 may be attached to the head covering unit 100, and possibly also to the mask unit 120, by fasteners 410. The fasteners are preferably snaps, but may also be Velcro, buttons, or any other fastener suitable for attaching ski goggles to a hat in a way that is secure and stable.

In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the modular hat may be shaped and sized in such a way as to allow a helmet insert to be placed inside the hat, so that the user's head can be protected during more dangerous winter sports. Helmet insert is placed inside the head covering unit and the ear covering unit, and fastened to both of them by fasteners. In an alternate embodiment, the helmet insert may be placed on the outside of the head covering unit and the ear covering unit and fastened to both of them by fasteners. In that embodiment, the helmet insert may comprise fasteners suitable for attaching the mask unit, and fasteners suitable for stowing away mask unit when it is not needed.

In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the mask unit may also comprise a rigid shell similar in rigidity and material to the helmet insert. The rigid shell may be connected to helmet insert by hinges that enable it to swing up onto the top of the user's head when not needed.

In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the ear covering unit and the face covering unit may comprise communication devices such as a microphone and earphones. The microphone and earphones may be wireless (such as Bluetooth) or may be connected to a device such as a walkie-talkie or a cell phone by wires.

In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the mask unit or the ear covering unit can attach to the collar of a jacket or sweatshirt to prevent cold air from getting through the gaps. The fasteners can be Velcro, clips, snaps, or any other fasteners known in the art.

The present invention can be made of any material suitable for making headwear, such as cloth, fur, knitted fabric, artificial fur, leather, and any other material that has the flexibility, insulating properties, and softness necessary for headwear making purposes. The preferred embodiment is made of a cloth fabric lined with artificial fur. In an embodiment, the present invention is made wholly or partially of reflective fabric to improve visibility and safety. 

1. An article of apparel, comprising: a head covering unit, capable of covering at least the top of a user's head; at least one ear covering unit, capable of covering at least one of a user's ears, removably attached to the head covering unit; a face covering unit, capable of covering at least a user's nose and mouth, removably attached to the head covering unit.
 2. The article of apparel of claim 1, further comprising a scarf, removably attached to at least one of the head covering unit, an ear covering unit, and the face covering unit.
 3. The article of apparel of claim 1, further comprising goggles, removably attached to one of the head covering unit and the face covering unit.
 4. The article of apparel of claim 1, further comprising a visor, removably attached to the head covering unit.
 5. The article of apparel of claim 1, further comprising a helmet shell, removably attached to at least one of the head covering unit and the ear covering unit.
 6. The article of apparel of claim 1, further comprising a communication device removably attached to at least one of the head covering unit, the ear covering unit, and the face covering unit.
 7. The article of apparel of claim 1, where the ear covering unit comprises at least one pocket of such a size and shape as to fit an earphone, located in such a way that the earphone is located next to the user's ear.
 8. The article of apparel of claim 1, where the head covering unit comprises a safety light module removably attached to the head covering unit, said safety light module comprising a light that is of sufficient intensity as to be usable for safety and visibility purposes.
 9. The article of apparel of claim 1, where the head covering unit comprises safety reflector fabric.
 10. The article of apparel of claim 1, where the at least one ear covering unit is attached to the head covering unit by at least one of the following group: snaps, buttons, Velcro, or a zipper.
 11. The article of apparel of claim 1, where the at least one ear covering unit covers both of the user's ears and the back of the user's neck.
 12. The article of apparel of claim 1, where the face covering unit is attached to the head covering unit by at least one of the following group: snaps, buttons, Velcro, or a zipper.
 13. The article of apparel of claim 1, where the face covering unit further comprises an air filter.
 14. The article of apparel of claim 1, where the face covering unit comprises: a left half attached to the head covering unit at the back of the user's head; a right half attached to the head covering unit at the back of the user's head; a fastener positioned in such a way as to connect the left half and the right half at the front of the user's face.
 15. The article of apparel of claim 14, where the fastener is a zipper.
 16. The article of apparel of claim 14, further comprising fasteners placed in such a way as to secure the left half and the right half in a position that leaves the user's face uncovered.
 17. The article of apparel of claim 1, where the ear covering unit comprises fasteners that attach it to the collar of a garment. 